Traffic Related Fatality on Loop 322 (Press Release)

ABILENE, TX – This morning at approximately 12:40 am, the Abilene Police Department (APD) received a call about a woman lying on the highway in the 800 block of Loop 322. Officers and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene where they found an unconscious female subject lying on the shoulder of the highway in apparent serious condition. Officers also contacted another female subject at the scene, Shannon Norton-Bartell, age 42, of Abilene. The injured female was identified as Crystal Holman, age 35, of Abilene. Ms. Holman was taken by ambulance to Hendrick Medical Center for treatment.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Ms. Norton-Bartell was the driver of a white 2003 Ford pickup truck that was southbound on Loop 322 and that Ms. Holman was the sole passenger. There were no witnesses to the incident. However, APD officers did contact the reporting party at the scene who initially notified APD about the injured subject. The investigation revealed that the occupants were in a verbal altercation prior to Ms. Holman exiting the moving vehicle. The speed of the truck at the time of the incident is unknown, but suspected to have been traveling at approximately 55 miles per hour. Ms. Norton-Bartell stopped her vehicle once she realized what had occurred and returned immediately to locate Ms. Holman.

Ms. Holman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by Judge A. L. Deatherage about one hour after being transported to the hospital. Next of kin notification was made. Foul play is not suspected and impaired driving does not appear to be a contributing factor. A blood sample was provided by Ms. Norton-Bartell and will be analyzed as part of this ongoing investigation.